Munyagwa unveils new party

As the race towards the 2026 general elections heats up, new political parties are popping up. The latest is the Common Man’s Party (CMP), which was officially launched in Kampala yesterday. 

The party is led by Mr Mubarak Munyagwa, the former Member of Parliament for Kawempe South, who is now the face of CMP. The party leaders said their main focus will be to protect the rights and dignity of ordinary Ugandans — which is why they chose the name “Common Man’s Party.” CMP replaces the Uganda Economic Party, which Mr Munyagwa said was a people-first platform created to speak for those who are often ignored. The party’s symbol is a silver platter, which the leaders said stands for fairness, dignity, and equal access to the country’s resources for all Ugandans, no matter their background. “We believe that every Ugandan deserves a seat at the table of opportunity.

Our logo, the silver platter, represents a future where resources are not reserved for the privileged few but shared with the common man,” Mr Munyagwa said while addressing party delegates. He added that the country was entering a critical phase where historical change is inevitable, and likened his political journey to that of Moses, the biblical figure who led the Israelites to the Promised Land. 

“A new chapter in this country’s history has begun. History has a notorious habit of repeating itself. The people have anointed me to liberate the common man just like the children of Israel anointed Moses,” Mr Munyagwa said. 

He reflected on his long political journey, revealing that he has been in the trenches of activism for more than 25 years, consistently fighting for equity and social justice. “I have dedicated more than half of my life to liberating the common man.

From my early days in the Red-Top Brigade, I have been a frontline commander advocating for a platform where every Ugandan counts,” he added. He criticised the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), accusing it of mistreating ordinary Ugandans. He said the party, which has been in power for 40 years, is now weaker than ever. Meanwhile, Prof Dennis Namala, the CMP’s legal officer, explained why they changed the party’s name from Uganda Economic Party to Common Man’s Party. “The previous name was too narrow; it was for economists. Yet not every Ugandan, and certainly not every common man, is an economist. So, we opted for a name that is broader and more accommodating,” he said. “We didn’t just change the name. We also adopted a symbol that speaks volumes. The silver platter, being circular, symbolises equality and inclusivity,” he said.

Mr Moses Bigirwa, the secretary general of the newly formed party, explained that the decision to join CMP was driven by years of discouragement with civilian-led Opposition movements. “In 2023, I declared that I would never again be led by civilian leaders lacking the capacity to execute a revolution. I have served under many who failed to deliver. That’s why I joined forces with Field Marshal Munyagwa, a man of the people,” Mr Bigirwa said. “I now pledge to front the issues of the common person who has long been forgotten by both government and Opposition alike,” he added. He added that CMP’s silver platter logo is a strong symbol of inclusion and equal participation for all Ugandans.

“Every Ugandan should have a share of the national cake. That’s the message we are sending,” he added. 

CMP leadership promised to begin a nationwide mobilisation campaign by rolling out grassroots structures to prepare for the 2026 elections. The formation of CMP comes at a time when several new political parties are being formed ahead of the 2026 polls.

 The other newly formed political parties include Democratic Front (DF) led by former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga, National Peasants’ Party led by Stecia Mayanja, National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) led by veteran journalist Joseph Kabuleta, and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) with the Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago being the interim president.

Interim Leadership of CMP

Mubarak Munyagwa – President

Muhammad Mulwani – Vice President, Eastern Region

Habib Ssemakula – Vice President, Buganda Region

John Tumwine – Vice President, Western Region

James Watentena – National Chairperson

Moses Bigirwa – Secretary General

Proscovia Ropani – Deputy Secretary General

Muhammud Mutazindwa – Deputy Chairperson, Electoral Commission

Sultan Nkonge – Deputy Organizing Secretary

Phillip Magambo – Secretary for Tourism and Economic Growth

Edison Mukembo – Secretary for Disabled Affairs

Martha Watenkena – Secretary for Education

Haruna Kawenda – Secretary for Trade

Lubowa Amin Umar – Deputy Secretary for Finance

Musa Lukwago – National Treasurer

John Ngarula – Deputy Publicity Secretary

Innocent Kibuuma – Secretary for Works

Asadra Seninde – Secretary for Mobilization

Haruna Musanje – National Youth Secretary

Nasif Lubwama – Secretary General for Research